9 Tips for Growing Seedlings Indoors [A Seed Starting Workshop]

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Good Morning Guys! So I'm trying something different this week. I'm doing a full-blown 30-minute workshop on seed starting instead of my normal 5 to 10-minute video. Let me know what you think of this longer-form video, and I'm totally not offended if you watch it on 2x speed!! Happy Gardening!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Also I will be around for the next couple of hours to answer questions in the comments.

[@stephenmoberg8807]

Excellent

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

@@stephenmoberg8807 Thanks!

[@IVMRGREENXX]

can a container be too big? I was gonna use solo cups (16 oz). does this cause issues with root growth or the later stability of the plant?

[@jolyndaj]

Excellent.

[@hamiltonhome9390]

One of my favorite videos. I thought the length was great.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mcfkennelly]

Length was perfect for a solid intro to seed starting. Thanks for the content, you are a talented teacher.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

So nice of you

[@juliekraft4102]

This is great for all of the new gardeners that have joined the "gardening club",and the numbers are getting greater every day.👍

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

So Glad you liked it!!

[@candacem.buyuklu3456]

Finally, someone who doesn't think you need to spend hundreds of dollars on grow lights! My Dad was a fanatic gardener and had half of the basement set up with shop lights with the first sign of spring. Love this info-mercial, very informative and full of helpful ideas for the new as well as the "old" gardener. Thanks for this, have lots of things to do now!! :o)

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@brondroid]

As a newer gardener, I think it was great to have this detailed break-down... I did know a good chunk of the info, but also definitely learned something new from each and every section/number!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@antiquetalkingtoys422]

I've been gardening for years, starting seeds inside. Your video has shown me so much of where I have failed in seedlings, now I know why. Your video was wonderful, learned a lot.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

So nice of you

[@newtogardening3632]

Awesome, I like the 30 min timing.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Good to hear!

[@amandaevensonthehappyhippi5110]

This was great, easy to understand and follow and packed full of great tips and very helpful information.. thank you!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisawilliams9980]

I love your videos! I also love the longer video. You are giving free valuable information, so I don’t mind it being longer. You’re a great teacher.😊🌱

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thank you.

[@DS-pf8mw]

The longer videos are great.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it!

[@KimberlyLoweWilliams]

Yes!!!! More longer videos for sure. Amazing 🌱

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks!

[@whatsup848]

I bought a heat mat to help my bread rise. Now using it for germination. Double duty.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

They really do help!

[@shilpa6795]

Love the longer detailed format!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Good to know!

[@lindacampbell2329]

I like all the steps in one video

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it!

[@michaelnemeth689]

You did a great job on the longer format. Thanks for the info.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it!

[@Coconutoilcrazy]

I just came across your channel. I prefer shorter videos. Great info, thanks!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you like them!

[@LBC13]

I appreciate all the thought & effort you put into this and all your videos. I’ve been looking for a video that explains all the steps instead of having to search for each step separately. This answered all my questions. Thank you!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You are so welcome!

[@ybly6627]

Great presentation, Rick.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks

[@heathernoelle8725]

Great video. I am getting back into gardening after 10+ years with other focuses - not only a good refresher but also new info to me. TX!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Yankeesista203]

You were absolutely fabulous! To the point! I have been gardening for over 20 yrs(z6a), but this is my real 1st season with seedlings in the garage greenhouse! I've learned and have been reinforced by this video. Thank you

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Wow! You are so kind! You are welcome!

[@Jeff-rd6hb]

👍on the grow lights, Rick. I use T5 LED shop lights that I got online for $35 for 6 lights. They work great for seedlings & even some larger plants. Heck, I've got 5" tall, bushy pepper plants grown from seed under them right now(in solo cups, lol).

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Those t5's are a good choice, I've seen several people that have had great success with them.

[@billiejoellis7393]

Love this!!!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

So glad you liked it!!

[@user-li7fn4no3f]

I like longer workshop!

[@steveviau7159]

Long format❤❤❤❤❤

[@gwenjenkins6515]

This was great! I have lots to learn & found you gave me very helpful info. Thank you 😊

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You are so welcome!

[@camillabarnes6678]

very interesting and did not notice 30 minutes

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it.

[@alicepettit164]

seen many on subject this is hitting crucial points, very encouraged

[@suzannegilliam7035]

You are a fantastic instructor! Thank you for all the great information!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're very kind! Thanks for watching!

[@theresasessions1879]

Thank you , been looking for information about the seedlings and how often to fertilize 🌱

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CoachRedRochelleStrauss]

This is a great video. It covers everything! I look forward to starting!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tamararoberts9307]

I use boiling hot water for my seed-starting mix to help kill harmful bacteria then let cool before using

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Great idea!

[@farahreid4920]

Love the longer format.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks! Glad you like it

[@IVMRGREENXX]

nice dude im literally opening my baker creek seeds delivery and watching this. gonna be a great season. cheers

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Have fun!

[@twomoonsrising2215]

I liked it,very informative. I learned a couple of things. Thanks

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brittany1054]

Refreshed my memory and was enjoyable to watch. I have been binge watching your content and it's great stuff. Love long informative content thank you a. Bunch!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're very welcome!! Thanks for watching!!

[@kathyperry1413]

Loved the video! Soo much information and great prevention...5 stars!! Thank you.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nancyleague8862]

This was an excellent course, the information was great and the 30 minute timing was just about right. Resist the desire to talk too much without sharing information. Best wishes

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@quintaviasmith655]

Perfect length for a step by step beginner like myself!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Grayson4life]

I loved it!! Absolutely one of the most informative seed starting videos I’ve seen!! Thanks!! More please!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thank you ! I have a whole 3 hour seed starting course if you are interested.

[@janzebuski3559]

Very informative & concise. Thx!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@freebygrace18]

Awesome info. I love how you break it down into such simple steps. It didn't feel like a 30 minute video at all. Thanks so much! I'm getting ready to start my seedlings very soon.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sherimcgill5139]

Just what I needed. Thanks!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're welcome!

[@DS-pf8mw]

Good info, thanks for sharing.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlotteseden9303]

Love the 30 min and all the great tips. Will definitely watch more. Thanks

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@takishasage-freebeautyzone]

I liked the layout of this video. I didn't feel like it was too long. Thanks for the reminders.😊

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it!!

[@bobbissell2910]

Love it. We are dead serious on growing from seedlings. Wife already started heirloom seeds grow lights and have professional landscaper/ gardener designing our raised beds. Georgia clay is terrible for everything. Learning so much from you. Thank you sir.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're very welcome!!

[@fieldtrippin1]

Best of luck to your plants!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thank you!

[@aimeestauffer2844]

Thank you for sharing this video!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're welcome

[@pascoprepper805]

Thank you for all the tips. I just started some seeds lastnight. Hopefully I am successful at this first attempt.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Best of luck!

[@teneshatheragood6831]

I felt this video was very informative, and helped me to correct some mistakes that I was currently doing. Thank you for the information.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You are so welcome!

[@jacquiesuper2200]

Very useful and I love the longer videos. I soak up any and all information you can give. Thanks so much.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you like them!

[@amandafigueiredo9473]

Timing was good, and great information, enjoyed very much!!!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@desertdaisy8584]

Love the longer format! Thank you

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're welcome

[@peggycooper1865]

Great concise seed starting. Thank you.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You bet!

[@EllensAbundantLifeonLess]

Very informative. I enjoyed the video 👍

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[@loriwalker-brandon9163]

Thank you for the timely video and I hope you get many, many more views. Very cost effective advice you've provided. I needed a refresher and this video did just that!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eunicemcdonaldknight4148]

Awesome video! Just what I needed as just started planting.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kabochaandspice]

Thank you! Keeping it simple

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You're welcome!

[@lynnoconnell6062]

Very useful info!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@katyaarzet125]

Loved it thanks.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charmainewills3673]

Great format and content 👌🏻👩‍🌾

[@dreamcatchercreations_]

Awesome video! I like the video. Great information.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it!

[@mindykautzman5655]

Good information

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks

[@reenagrover2250]

Great video! It is a must watch.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you think so!

[@pammickelson1022]

Nice!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks!

[@Flower_hoarder]

🌱🌿🌱GOOD INFO🌱🌿🌱

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks for visiting

[@elliestell2696]

Loved it! ❤

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

So glad!

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

For grow lights, 5000K is good enough to grow plants. They are called "daylight" color lights and readily available at any hardware store.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I actually have warm white in mine, I don't know what the k is.

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

@@StoneyAcresGardening k is for Kelvin. It refers to the color of tungsten when heated to 5000 Kelvin.

[@OSGCourtWatch]

Most folks generally recommend 6500k lights...more blue spectrum than red though some red is fine...we have a garage sale shop light and use 4 6500k and 2 5000k bulbs...

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

@@OSGCourtWatch yes, 6500k is best. However, they are specialty lights, whereas 5000k is enough and the lights are readily available in most places.

[@thesartube]

What a great video! Thank you so much!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

You are so welcome!

[@ChrisJCarter]

Very informative! Thanks.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terrybrown9427]

Comprehensive into to seed starting. One thing I would add is some more specifics regarding lighting, e.g. recommended kelvins and lumens. 👍

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

That's the beauty of seedlings, You really don't need to worry about that. All you need is a couple of shop lights down close to your seedlings (1 -2 inches away) and you are good. Kelvins and lumens are only important if you are trying to bring plants to full maturity indoors. For seedlings, you don't need to fuss with it.

[@laurabehenna7950]

@@StoneyAcresGardening Good to know!

[@rosedicamillo235]

Good to know thanks

[@IandiBoats]

Very useful. Thanks

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PatriciaT-Maryland]

Great information

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blueheronhill]

I thought it hit all the important elements for starting seeds. Didn't think it was too long.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Glad you liked it!!

[@DebunkTV]

Nice....

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks

[@mammacass5311]

I really liked the longer video lots of great information !!! Thank you. I do have to disagree with your statement about Coco coir being more sustainable

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks, I'd love to know your reasons why?

[@mammacass5311]

@@StoneyAcresGardening It is my understanding that Pete Moss mined in Canada is very sustainable. But what is involved to process Coco coir is not sustainable to the environment or to the humans who are processing it.

[@grannyfisher3863]

This was very timely! I just purchased some materials to make up a seed-starting medium. First time for me! I used a recipe on another website, and bought vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, and lime. Is the lime unnecessary, then?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Interesting, I'd never hear of using lime in a seed starting mix. I looked it up and the idea is that the lime will help balance out the PH of the mix. Peat moss is slightly acidic and the lime makes it neutral. I have been using the same mix for 10 + years and it does NOT have lime in it and it is peat moss based. So based on my experience I would say it really isn't necessary.

[@grannyfisher3863]

@@StoneyAcresGardening Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate the information you share.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

@@grannyfisher3863 You're welcome!!

[@sunflowerenvy11]

In seed room in house you have plants stands . I want to know what is shelf spacing between each other that have shop light in them? And the chain length to raise and lower the light? And ty doing the vedio

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

My shelves are 30 inches apart and the chains are about 24 inches. But that is really more than I need. the spacing really just needs to be enough for the plants and lights to have enough space when the plants are taller. I would thing 24 inch spacing would be enough.

[@sunflowerenvy11]

@@StoneyAcresGardening ty

[@myhusbandsrib]

What zone are you in? Thx so much for this video, very helpful!

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

We are in Zone 6b. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@myhusbandsrib]

@@StoneyAcresGardening yes, def a subby now! thx

[@sensenisok]

Longer is great,,

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Thanks, glad you liked it!!

[@KippyBippy50]

Thank you for this video...Great information! Perfect timing, just sat down with my calendar to plan. I'm fairly new at starting seeds indoors, so I got excited and started my tomatoes too soon. They are about 4-8 inches tall already, any advice on what to do with them? Should I pinch them back and pot them up? I do have a grow light. My last frost date is May 7th.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

So you have a couple of options: 1. You could continue to pot them up as they grow and bury them deep each time you move up in pot size, but they are going to get big before May. 2. Another option would be to buy some Wall-O-Waters. They are water filled clotches that you can use to protect your tomatoes early. We put ours out 4 weeks early in them, but I know folks that do 6 weeks or more.

[@KippyBippy50]

Thank you so much. I have Wall-O-Waters so I will take your suggestion and pot them up, then plant them early.

[@ChickensandCanines]

Should we wash our old seed cells before reuse?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I like to, that can help keep disease issues down. I wash in a mix of 1 gallon of water with 1 tbs of bleach. Then I rinse the containers in fresh water before using.

[@meshab6049]

I live in MI and I can't seem to sustain my seeds indoors. I have grow lights and fans but I think my indoor conditions in spring aren't ideal for seed starting. The only thing that thrived indoors was zucchini otherwise I always lose seed starts, any advice?

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I would have to see some photos and have more details on what plants and what happened to them to give you a good answer.

[@dalecovercomedy]

You harden off in week 5 yeah? (Great job)

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Yes, but it depends on the weather. Usually I'm trying to harden the last week of their in pot time.

[@dalecovercomedy]

Understood. Thank you!!!

[@shant2885]

How long are the lights on for? 12hrs on 12hrs off??

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

I do 16 on and 8 off.

[@apiecemaker1163]

Do you recommend cinnamon or vermiculite on top of seed starting mix to prevent knats? I’ve heard of this tip but starting seeds for the first time next week so I don’t know.

[@StoneyAcresGardening]

Honestly I've never tried either one so I'm afraid I can't give you any advice on that one. Sorry.

[@apiecemaker1163]

@@StoneyAcresGardening no worries

[@OSGCourtWatch]

Bottom watering should prevent any funGus gnat issues.

[@apiecemaker1163]

@@OSGCourtWatch thank you. I have been bottom watering my seedlings and so far, no problem.👩‍🌾💛🌻

[@jodichavez9800]

Thought the video was full of info

[@user-li7fn4no3f]

I like longer workshop!